Wednesday September 18, 2013, 3:31 am
The Robert Reich article is (as always) very good; thanks TC. I think the 'free market is inevitable' idea continues the sort of lazy assumptions that people make that 'bad things happen to bad people – good things happen to good people' – which makes me wonder if they ever have insurance policies on things and how they justify having those…. I think the 'free market' that the Repuglicons go on about is basically monied anarchy – and I don't like anarchy one little bit! We need regulations (annoying though they often are) to safeguard people from anarchists, fascists, thieves and lunatics – most of whom seem to be on the Right these days!

Wednesday September 18, 2013, 6:08 am
PS - sorry, forgot to say I signed the petition for the release of Gregory Jon Bartholomew - if someone is incarcerated for life for stealing $37 as you say TC - that is just barkingly insane!

Wednesday September 18, 2013, 7:11 am
Signed that petition for Gregory, these 3 strike laws need to go and anyone who is serving time under them need to all have their case reviewed. As you said and I agree we have people who have trashed the economy from the Banks to Wall St. still living the High Life while others because they are not rich, powerful, or connected are left to rot behind bars. This is a rigged justice system right along with the rigged economic system.

Wednesday September 18, 2013, 4:04 pm
Wow Tom, day 96! Congratulations are in order and well deserved. It's not easy, I've been there, and admire you!

Signed the petition. Yes, it's many of the men running Wall Street the should be in prison, not this man Gregory for measly $37.

Aaron Alexis was mentally disturbed but still should never had been able to get weapons to kill people. When will the evil NRA come out in defend themselves, should be any day now. They always wait for things to calm down but so do most of the republicon politicians that way they can maintain their A or B rating.

Wednesday September 18, 2013, 6:25 pm
Update — After 46 years, overwhelmed is likely a bit understated. But, with mentors and support like you TC, and his own hard work, Critter will do well. Tell him I'm pulling for him all the way! As to the petition, I signed that already on 09/09/13. As you said TC, "When we have Banksters stealing $billions and walking free, it's just plain wrong for a man to be doing life for stealing $37. " And add to the banksters, politicians, vulture capitalists, and assorted corporate morons!

Fantasy Football — Well the mighty may have fallen, but I have nowhere to go but up!

Puzzle — 3:18 That would be me Jerry!

Robert Reich — Robert Reich is so spot on!

"One of the most deceptive ideas continuously sounded by the Right … the “free market” is natural and inevitable, existing outside and beyond government. So whatever inequality or insecurity it generates is beyond our control. "

Beyond government? That's rich since the rules that allow the "free market" to survive are made by politicians, or it could be said, the lack of rules are promoted by politicians whoring for the vulture capitalists, corporatists and plutocrats.

"If we want to reduce the savage inequalities and insecurities that are now undermining our economy and democracy, we shouldn’t be deterred by the myth of the “free market.” We can make the economy work for us, rather than for only a few at the top. But in order to change the rules, we must exert the power that is supposed to be ours."

2014 is coming and that is a place to start because the current Washington makeup sure won't help.

Blue Oregon — So Robinson has been a scientist all his life. He said he has been a teacher all his life. I assume he's been male all his life too. He also appears to be not terribly bright. I wonder if that is for "all his life"?

Ms Davuluri is American born, and from what I can see, represents what America professes to value. Congratulations to Nina Davuluri, and a pox on all the houses who have twisted the meaning of "American values" to a state of FUBAR!